Portable nuclear radioactive fallout shelter and preservation of potable water storage system

ABSTRACT

The Portable Nuclear Radioactive Fallout Protection Shelter &amp; Preservation of Potable Water Storage System is comprised of self-supporting interlocking stackable radiation shielding watertight jugs having the dual purpose of being used to rapidly assemble fallout shelters and to store drinking water. 
     The jugs are made of rigid neoprene, plastics, or similar substances that when filled with water and properly assembled omits radioactive gamma and X-rays. Wooden or metal support beams may be required when ceiling supports are necessary. 
     The jugs may be filled using a common garden hose and be emptied by pouring water out of the water spouts that are also an integral part of the self supporting interlocking mechanisms and be drained by pouring water from the spouts or using a siphon hose or water pump. 
     The system implements the construction of walls, modules, and complete protective shelters inside or outside of existing buildings.

The Portable Nuclear Radioactive Fallout Protection Shelter &Preservation of Potable Water Storage System predominately comprised ofself-supporting interlocking stackable radiation shielding watertightjugs specifically designed for the dual purpose of being used to rapidlyassemble fallout shelters and storage of potable drinking water byunskilled labor without tools, or with a minimum of household tools inshelters requiring a roof assembly.

The self-supporting interlocking system provides for air vent openingsthat will allow air flow in and out of the shelter while omittingradioactive waves i.e. gamma and X-rays. Shelters may be built eitherindividually or in connected modules depending upon the sizes, shapes,and dimensions necessary in the formation of specific shelterapplications for temporary or substantially long term usage.

The jugs may be filled with water using a common garden hose eitherbefore assembly or a layer at a time during assembly of a wide range ofsizes, shapes, and dimensions of radiation barrier walls, entranceways,ceilings, and complete shelters.

Since the jugs will be made of pre-formed heavy duty rigid material andshall be of a size and weight that when empty they may be easily handledby nearly anyone who is not significantly disabled and when filled withwater may be easily handled by any physically able person capable oflifting and moving weights up to 62.5 pounds. The jugs may be emptied bypouring water out of the water spouts that are also an integral part ofthe self supporting interlocking mechanisms or be drained using a siphonhose or water pump.

The system implements the construction of not only complete nuclearradiation shelters but also barrier walls where existing buildingconstruction walls provide protection on one or more sides and/orceiling but not at one or more other sides where protection of existingconstructed walls do not provide sufficient protection. Thus, the systemincludes walls, ceilings, and complete shelters of varying sizes anddimensions to shield varying numbers of people depending upon theinterior dimensions of the shelter from nuclear radiation i.e. gamma andX-rays and to preserve and store potable water for usage duringsheltering and after radioactive activity diminishes.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the construction of both temporary andrelatively permanent barriers, walls, and shelters that will provideprotection from nuclear radioactive fallout i.e. gamma and X-rays andstorage and preservation of uncontaminated potable water using the meansand methods of the system set forth herein. The system employs the useof specially engineered self-supporting, interlocking, stackable jugs asdescribed herein all of which in any given barrier or shelter may befilled with potable water, however if the combined content volume of allthe jugs does not need to be potable water, as may be the case forpermanent barriers, walls, or shelters, a portion of the less accessiblejugs at the bottom of said barrier, wall, or shelter, may be filled withany available fluid and be so labeled. The primary motivation andpurpose for this invention is to provide a means of fast and easyconstruction of barriers and/or complete shelters to protect people fromradioactivity emanating from any source, but especially from “dirtybombs” and other nuclear explosions including but not limited to nuclearaccidents, and provide survivors with a readily available supply ofuncontaminated potable water. Time is of essence for the quickestpossible patent issue, manufacture, and marketing of this invention thatis certain to be welcomed by and utilized in private, public,governmental, and military sectors; more specifically in dwellings andfacilities including but not limited to surrounding and insideindustrial nuclear facilities, power plants, electrical generator andcircuit rooms, financial facilities, military installations, governmentbuildings, schools, hospitals, civil service facilities, policestations, fire stations, emergency response facilities and commandposts.

2. Description of Prior Art

The prior art thought to be the closest in concept to the “PortableRadiation Protection Shelter & Water Storage System” is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,200,067 to Pena; Martin Rangel (1999) in which waterbags are the main component that require weight baring struts and sundryextraneous fastening devices essential to support, containment,adhesiveness, and shape of assembled structures . A second prior artpatent that preceded the above referenced prior art patent thatprimarily utilizes sand bags is U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,060 to Jackson(1987).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparent novelty of the present invention, the “Portable NuclearRadioactive Fallout Protection Shelter & Preservation of Potable WaterStorage System”, is its innovative self-supporting, interlocking jugsthat comprise the system providing a uniquely applied and better suitedmeans for the construction of nuclear radiation barriers and sheltersthan more generalized barriers comprised of water bags requiringsupporting mechanisms and those comprised of predominately sand bags.The present invention relative to the said application encompassesrelatively tremendous improvement in suitability, utility, design, andstrength over existing art.

The existing art is comprised of weaker more flimsy water bags thatrequire additional support of weight baring struts and sundry extraneousfastening devices and barrier systems that use cumbersome sand bags. Thejugs may be manufactured using any materials commonly used in, or may beadapted to blow molding manufacturing including compositions thatfacilitate greater weight baring capabilities including but not limitedto being bullet proof.

The system may be applied to applications of many shapes and sizes berelatively quickly and easily assembled without tools by unskilled laboror with a minimum of ordinary household tools in situations requiring aroof as described in the claims.

The Invention-objects and advantages of the “Portable NuclearRadioactive Fallout Protection Shelter & Preservation of Potable WaterStorage System” over prior art was clearly noted within and throughoutthe claims and the “Description of Prior Art” above. Furthermore,regardless of all inclusive, futuristic, presumptuous and unspecifiedpossible applications uses and modifications that may or may not be madeby the prior art herein stated, the “Portable Nuclear RadioactiveFallout Protection Shelter & Preservation of Potable Water StorageSystem clearly stands unique and paramount in addressing theapplications and functions for which it has been designed as stated andclaimed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although there are only six sides to a cube, in order to display themeans of all the interlocking mechanisms of the radiation jugs, threesides of the jugs and cutaways are repeatedly shown to adequatelypresent the surface to surface tightness and assembly of theinterlocking mechanisms. Drawings have been presented in the best formpossible to comply with the standard USPTO format, however because mostwere created using standard computer programs and formatted as shownaccording to manufacturing criteria, it is respectfully requested thatobvious variances be allowed.

FIG. #1

Radiation Barrier Jug showing three sides of the interlocking mechanismthat couples jugs together in assembly of radiation barrier walls andshelters. Note the right surface shows protruding handle, the topsurface shows two male studs, one of which is the caped water port, andthe front surface shows two male studs.

FIG. #2

Radiation Barrier Jug showing three sides of the interlocking mechanismthat couples jugs together in assembly of radiation barrier walls andshelters. Note the front/right surface shows two female slots, thebottom surface shows protruding handle, and the front/left surface showstwo female slots.

FIG. #3

Radiation Barrier Jug showing three sides of the interlocking mechanismthat couples jugs together in assembly of radiation barrier walls andshelters. Note the top surface shows interlocking slot for protrudinghandle, the right surface shows two male studs with one showing thecapped water port, and the front surface shows two male studs.

FIG. #4

Radiation Barrier Jug showing three sides of the interlocking mechanismthat couples jugs together in assembly of radiation barrier walls andshelters. Note the top/left surface shows two female slots, thetop/right surface shows the interlocking slot for protruding handle, andthe bottom surface shows two female slots.

FIG. #5

Three Radiation Barrier Jugs cut in half to show the overlappingassembly and interlocking mechanism that creates the solid wall withoutspaces as claimed.

FIG. #6

Three Radiation Barrier Jugs cut in half but shown from the top viewshowing the overlapping assembly and interlocking mechanism that createsthe solid wall without spaces as claimed.

FIG. #7A (page 1 of 2 pages)

There are two illustrations: One shows the assembled shelter barrierwalls with emphasis on the entrance of a shelter showing radiation linesdepicting how radiation rays i.e. gamma or X-rays can travel only instraight lines from their source and because of the layout of thebarrier walls of a shelter, cannot enter into the shelter through theopenings employing “L” shaped configuration of shelter openings referredto as “maze entrances”. The second illustration shows how the entranceway “maze” would look with the jugs interlocked three abreast andstacked.

FIG. #7B (page 2 of 2 pages)

Is a further development showing measurements or a maze entrance withthe addition of a partial roof and a second illustration showing apartial roof to illustrate how the roof comprised of jugs piled threehigh might be formed to provide the necessary protection from above.Note the supporting mechanism to support the jugs can be attained byusing a combination of beams and plywood.

FIG. #8

The illustration shows a partially constructed room from a top view anddifferent angle than illustrated in FIG. #7.

FIG. #9

The drawings on the left show the construction layout of the picturedcompleted shelter to the right of the drawings.

FIG. #10

The drawing on the left shows the construction layout of a rooflessbasement shelter on the right. The means of formation of the picturedbunker or basement shelter could be applicable with variousmodifications to several existing building construction layouts in whichthe materials used, and the thickness of walls and ceiling would mandatevariations in the construction of the bunker or basement shelter.

FIG. #11

Is a specification sheet relative to individual radiation barrier jugsentitled “WATER CONTAINER, SHELTER”.

Note: The reason that the specification sheets #12, #13, #14, and #15have been included is to show that the invention is well on its way tobeing manufactured; the specifications are essential to prospectivemanufacturers in the production of the radiation barrier jugs.

FIG. #12

Is a specification sheet relative to the waterproof fill port and itscap entitled “CONTAINER CAP”.

FIG. #13

Is a specification sheet relative to the standard construction orassembly of the radiation barrier jugs entitled “STANDARD STRUCTURECONSTRUCTION”.

FIG. #14

Is a specification sheet relative to the radiation barrier jug handleand “receiver” or “interlocking slot for protruding handle” entitled“HANDLE AND HANDLE RECEIVER DETAIL”.

FIG. #15

Jug specifications sheet: Shows eight diagrams of technicalspecifications for the manufacture of the radiation barrier jugs thatwill be presented to prospective manufacturers along with any otherspecifications required.

1. A portable, versatile, self supporting and weight baring means andsystem for construction by unskilled labor requiring no tools or aminimum of ordinary household tools. The system provides a meansversatile means of construction of Portable Nuclear Radioactive FalloutProtection Shelters & Preservation and storage of Potable Water Storagethat effectively prevents nuclear radioactive rays (more technicallyreferred to as electromagnetic radiation that includes X-rays and gammarays) from penetrating through water filled jugs that comprise walls,barriers, and shelters; additionally the system does not require struts,framework, and sundry extraneous fastening devices except for roofsupport beams when conditionally necessary in some, but not all shelterswhen used to support the roof of a structure when existing ceilings donot offer sufficient protection or where no ceiling exists comprising: aplurality of stand-alone interlocking jugs that are collectively thecore component of the “Portable Nuclear Radioactive Fallout RadiationProtection Shelter & Preservation of Potable Water Storage System” thathave greater strength and integrity to the degree that they are designedto bare weight and form barrier walls, and shelters that may be rapidlyassembled without the aid of weight baring struts, framework includingextraneous fastening devices required to support similar systems thatutilize plastic bags made of more flexible substances. Additionally, thejugs provide for a supply of uncontaminated water the volume of which isdetermined by the number of jugs required to construct specific barrierwalls and/or complete shelters. The stored water may be used fordrinking and other purposes requiring uncontaminated water duringnon-radiation emergencies and after levels of radiation following anuclear occurrence subside. a plurality of individual jug designfeatures that includes the number and solidity between interlocking malestuds and female slots, their relative size, depth, and tightnesstogether with other integral parts of the interlocking mechanismsincluding the protruding handle on one side that fits snugly into arecessed handle port and protruding watertight fill spouts that fitsnugly into the recessed female slots of jugs of the same design whenmated with one another; the way they are assembled provides for greaterstrength and stability than systems comprised of water bags requiringsupporting struts, framework, and sundry extraneous fastening devices, aplurality of materials that may be used in the manufacture of theindividual jugs relative to specific applications based upon possibleexposure to both manmade and natural environments, a plurality ofadditional jugs in numbers mandated by the specifications of eachbarrier wall or shelter for the purpose of forming air vents using inneror outer wall “L” shaped arrangements that allow air to flow in and outas it follows the pathway of said “L” while not allowing radioactiverays from entering because radioactive rays i.e. gamma and X-ray travelonly in straight lines from their source; the same “L” system is used toform entranceway doors for easy entrance and exit of people into andfrom sheltered areas; said openings are called maze entrances. aplurality of pre-ordered or suggested materials for any ceiling supportsthat might be needed and installed by unskilled labor with ordinaryhousehold tools in some, but not all applications.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein said stand-alone strength is attained, is accomplishedthrough greater construction strength of each interlocking containercompared with water bags that do require sundry supporting devices. 3.The system of claim 1 wherein barrier walls and shelters are selfsupporting and weight bearing is that in addition to the stronger meansof jug material as stated in #2 above, greater strength is accomplishedwhen jugs are filled with water. The increased strengthening principleis similar to the way pneumatic tires become stronger when pressurizedwith air. Such dispenses with the need for supporting struts, framework,and sundry extraneous fastening devices necessary in barrier systemsthat utilize weaker water bags.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein it isclaimed that the system effectively prevents nuclear radioactive raysfrom penetrating through the walls, barriers, and shelters means that inaddition to the jugs being filled with water, such is accomplished bythe overlapping stacking and the interlocking means of assembling threecontainers abreast totaling a thickness totaling 36″ that supplies thenecessary thickness of water to be an effective barrier to shieldoccupants of the shelter from radioactive rays while also greatlyenhancing the strength and weight baring capacity of barrier walls andcompleted shelters.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the system isportable and versatile means that the System” provides a means ofversatility and adaptability for placement within a wide variety ofexisting structures weather above or partially under ground includingthose having one, two, three, or four existing walls, with or without aceiling, constructed of sundry kinds and thicknesses of materials thatare known to act as a partial or sufficient barriers to radioactive raysdepending upon their density and thickness. Such materials include mostbuilding materials including but not limited to steel, concrete, wood orcombination thereof. For example, if a designated “safe room” has twowalls and a ceiling constructed of concrete with sufficient density andthickness to prevent passage of radioactive rays through the twoexisting walls, the “Portable Nuclear Radioactive Fallout ProtectionShelter and Preservation of Potable Water Storage System” applicationwould more than likely be limited to installation adjacent to the twowalls constructed of materials that would not provide sufficientprotection from the radioactive rays.
 6. The system of claim 1 whereinit is stated that a plurality of materials may be used in themanufacture of the individual jugs relative to specific applicationsbased upon possible exposure to both manmade and natural environmentsmeans that said jugs may be manufactured using materials that arestrong, resistant to natural and manmade environments, chemicals andsubstances, according to specifications necessary for specificinstallations and elements to which they will be subjected includingbeing bullet proof, and may be appropriately color coded and markedaccordingly. They may be manufactured using new materials or recycledmaterials common to or possible with current and future blow moldingtechnology.
 7. The system of claim 1 relative to potable water storagemeans that the use of water is not only for use as an effectivesubstance to stop radiation, but also serves as an essential supply ofuncontaminated water after the radiation has dissipated following anuclear accident or terrorist attack. For example, even in a barrierwall or small shelter comprised of only 600 jugs the stored water wouldprovide 4,488 gallons of uncontaminated potable water; additionallyextra jugs filled with potable water for use prior to dissipation ofradiation may be stored behind barrier walls and within shelters fordrinking and sanitation. It should be noted that radioactive rays i.e.gamma and X-rays passing through and into water stored in watertightjugs does not contaminate the stored water providing that care is takento prevent contamination of stored water from any radioactive dust thatmay have settled on or around the cap and mouth of the filling port. Ifthe presence of radioactive dust is suspected, one or more jugs may bedesignated for flushing away any dust from those to be used for Drinkingor other radioactive free usage; instructions for safe construction andhandling of jugs to prevent contamination of stored water will beprovided to builders and end users.
 8. The system of claim #4 relativeto the term “effective barrier” means that the three jugs coupledtogether forms the 36″ thickness of water required to stop 99% ofradiation from reaching people behind properly constructed barrier wallsand within shelters.
 9. The system of claim 5 relative to wallsconstructed of materials that would not provide sufficient protectionfrom the radioactive rays refers to their ineffectiveness compared withthe known effectiveness of the following materials in specificthicknesses that would stop 99% of radiation: 5″ of steel, 16″ of solidconcrete, 2 feet of packed earth or 3 feet of loose dirt; 3′ of water.10. The system relative to all claims applicable to the weights andmeasures of each individual “jug” are, but not limited to in the eventof future modifications: volume=1 square foot, gallons of water=7.48,and weight, not including the weight of the jug,=62.30 pounds. 11.Relative to all claims that refer to the system being “stand alone”,“self supporting”, “weight baring”, and/or not requiring “supportingstruts, framework, and sundry extraneous fastening devices necessary inbarrier systems that utilize weaker water bags”, does not take intoconsideration that in situations that require a roof comprised of jugs;that such roof will require support beams, with some requiring verticalsupport posts, of sufficient strength and plywood of sufficientthickness that will be placed across the top of barrier walls orshelters leaving enough space between any existing ceiling and the topof the beams and plywood for the placement of three layers of “jugs” orfewer layers if the existing ceiling offers protective radiationblockage that will make up the difference for less than three layersbeing applied.
 12. The system of claim 11 relevant to beams and plywoodused to support top jugs must be of sufficient length and strength tosafely support the weight of the ceilings made of water-filled jugs;supporting vertical beams may also be required to be placed inside theshelter between the weight baring walls depending upon the span betweenthem.
 13. The system of claim 12 will include guidelines to be suppliedto builders relative to safe construction of shelters; all necessaryinstructions and safety warning labels will also be supplied to insuresafe, easy and quick assembly by unskilled laborers. Instructions andlabels will include a statement stipulating that if the assemblerdoesn't understand the instructions supplied to enlist the aid ofsomeone who does.
 14. The system of all claims making reference to“easy, quick, or rapid assembly” is relative to the size of variousapplications that depend upon the size of interior areas in whichbarrier walls or shelters are to be constructed, the number of peoplethe shelter is likely to house and the available work force necessary toaccomplish the task.